Dental amalgamator



NOV. 16, 1943. c or 2,334,315

DENTAL AMALGAMATOR Filed June 3, 1942 J0 fwd/522M..-

HwanzKZiKoZZ Patented Nov. 16, 1943.

UNITED PATENT ()FFICE 2 2,334,315 I DENTAL AMALGAMATOR Edward L. Chott, Chicago, n1. Application June 3, 1942, Serial No. 445,561

This invention relates to amalgamators, and more particularly to dental amalgamators, as employed in dental laboratories for amalgamating or triturating materials or alloys, such as mercury and another metallic substance for making dental fillings.

One of the desideratums'of an amalgamator is that it produces a very thorough amalgamation or mixing of the materials or substances, such asmercury and metallic alloys in a minimum of time, and with a. minimum of labor, especially as compared with the ordinary mortar and pestle, or other hand operated devices, or even vibrators or oscillators. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an'improved and novel amalgamator, which is not merely a vibrator or oscillator, but which provides means whereby the mortar or capsuleholding the ingredients to be amalgamated in conjunction with a pestle or pellet therein for thorough disintegrating and amalgamating the ingredients, so as to'assist and'speed up the amalgamation, will be moved in several directions,

so as to have the direction of its axes of -motion changed and moved at each revolution and in every essential way to produce a quicker and more thorough amalgamation. Another object of the invention is to provide an improvement upon the device shown in my prior patent, No. 2,201,428, dated May 21, 1940, in that the device is not only more compact and facilitates packing and shipping due to the absence of projecting parts but'greatly facilitates the insertion and removal of the capsule mortar and produces an improved motion, which accomplishes a better mixing or amalgamation in less time. q 1

By means of the present invention, the mortar and pestle, together with the ingredients to be mixed, will be moved in a somewhat circular motion in a substantially diamond shaped or oval path in a vertical direction, 'but will-also be moved with aside to side motion in-a horizontal direction, with the mortar changing the direction of its axes at each revolution of the driving shaft, so that the ingredients to be amalgamated will be agitated or vibrated andshaken in every essential way to produce a better and more eflicient mixture'or filling in less time than heretofore'required. Also, whereas with my prior device an oscillating or .arcuate reciprocating motion is imparted to the mortar longitudinally thereof on a horizontal axis or on its longitudinal axis and a simultaneous oscillationon ais'ubstanv tially vertical axis, or an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the first motion, that is, on its central transverse axis, which passes substantially radially through said shaft and simultaneously oscillating or reciprocating the same in a vertical are on its longitudinal axis, the present device oscillates on its transverse axis, which passes axially through the drive shaft and on a horizontal axis, instead of a vertical axis, and simultaneouslyoscillates the mortar on its longitudinal axis or reciprocates the same in an arcuate path on said axis extending vertically instead of horizontally, and in which the supporting means for the capsule mortar extends out horizontally from and beyond the end of the drive shaftfor more convenient accessibility and compactness, instead of extending upwardly or in a vertical direction.

Another object of the invention is means for operating the amalgamator for any set period of time betweenone second 'and a minute or-sixtyfseconds, and causing it to automatically ceaseoperating, or'stop at the end of such period, so that the amalgamating action will take place for any period desired according to and best suited for a particular mixture with different percentages of different ingredients, suchas mercuryland an alloy, whereby a more efficient filling will be produced. By means of the present invention, amalgamation maybe produced with improved results in less. time than heretofore required. 3 Further objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specification, reference being had to accompanying drawing,"in which: Fig; v1 is a side elevation of a dental amalgamator in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. a i

i Fig. 31is a plan view of the device. ,Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 and showing in full and dotted lines thecircular motion of the mortar.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the device taken on the plane of the section line 5--5 of Fig. 4, and

.Fig; 6 is 'adetailed enlarged fragmentary horizontal'sectional view taken on the plane of the section lineG-Ai of Figs. 1 and 4 and showing the horizontal motion of the mortar.

Referring to the drawing illustrating the preferred form of the invention for demonstrating the principles thereof, the amalgamator includes a base 10 having one or more cushions or cushioned feet preferably of rubber or the like and to provide four in number located at each corner of the base, at the bottom thereof, and havinga circumferential flange or surrounding rim H2 at the top in connection with one or more holes l3 for receiving the screws or other fastenings to secure the device to a bench, table or other horizontal support.- A motor M, including the usual housing, is mounted on the base It, and is preferably an electric motor of A. C. or D. C. type, or a combination thereof and hastheusual rotor l 5,- and horizontal shaft It thereof; Mounted on onev sideqof the motor housing is a switch ll, and also a time controlled switch device l8 held by a strap l9 and provided with a switch 20 for setting it in motion.

The dial face 2! of the control device 18' is marked oif or calibrated in seconds fromzero-to sixty or one minute, and the pointer 22 is turned to any desired point or calibration: on the dialrac-- bushing 21, so that motion transmitted from the shaft will have its direction changed as it rotates in that the surface or eccentric portion 28 of the cylindrical sleeve 21 is at an angle of 6 degrees or otherwise with respect to the shaft I6. This motion will be correspondingly transmitted to a roller or antifriction bearing cage 32 mounted on the eccentric portion 28 and in turn loosely mounted upon the antifriction bearing cage 32 is asplitcollar support 33 comprising two semicircularf'sections 34 having apertured ears 35 integral or formed on the ends thereof as by producing the sections of the collar from stampings of resilient or spring material and locked together by clampingscrews 3B. A'retractile coiled spring 31 is held, between the bottom cars 35 on the screw 36 atthis point, and the spring extends downwvardly through an opening 38 in the base ll! cording to the number of seconds time duration which it is desired to have the device operate by the=running of the: motor: to cause actuation of the mortarand pestle'of the malgamator or mix:- ing: device. Current: is supplied ,tothe motor through an extension cord or. cable 23', having a plug at the: end: thereof to connect, with: a source of power'supply; such as-itheelectric'currentfrom a wall socket of. the wiring: of a building, -and this wiring also is connected bya cable 25 directly from: thesocket and: from; a: terminal of the 'motonfield winding:- or coil: tothe; control device it throughjtsswitch 263.. It wi-llzbe noted that the front of? the:b.ase. lili projects forwardly fromnthemotor M on housing thereof; and one end offtlie horizdntahdriveshaft t6; of the rotor 15: extends at. a: distance thereover and is threaded externally asrindicatedaat 26. Mounted upon the threaded end of the shaft ameccentric bushing or sleeved? having an eccentrica portion orgroove 2'8, whichimayi bearranged atzany desired-acute-angle of 6 degreesiorotherwise to the axis of rotation-or outer face of the: cylindrical portion of? the bushing located concentric to the axis; as indicated? at 221 and: represented in the form of a nut or wrench: head. of. hexa-gonali or othenpolygonal shape and havi'ngmne end or face, namely; its outer face 2 9 normal to theiaxis of the shaft 16;. and the. other-or inner-face or annular portiontdformingxa shoulder at an. intersecting angle to; the angleor plane. of. the face 29" or ob.- liquely or diagonallyto:said' 'axis.- The bushing is in the form of a sleeve and the eccentric porti'on'zil extends tothe-out'er end? thereof with the outer cylindrical surface "of theeccentric portion w of. the bushing 21 disposed at anacutexangle to the axis of the motor shaft iii. Theouter cylind'ri'cal surface of the eccentric bushing or sleeve 2! at the'portion Z8 maybe arranged at anzangle of- 6 degrees 1 or otherwise to the motor shaft I 6, although this angle may be varied as desired and found most expedientg depending' upon the materials to tie-amalgamated, the speed' of the motor and otherfactors. Thus, the outer surface of the bushing or sleeve; at: the eccentric portion 28 is atri'ght angles with, ornormalto the innerfaee or shoulder 35= of the flange or portion 2"! and at an angle of 6 degrees or other-wise;.with the-outer face 29 of" said flange or'bushing 21 and with thesleeve off-center or. eccentric with respect'to the flange-or bushingproperi It will of course be understood thatathe bushing 2'! is provided with a threaded. bore 3| to. mount the same on the'threa-ded end zt of thesha-ft: l5, and this borem-ay be at an angle of 6 degrees or otherwise; with-respect to the outer' cylindrical surfaceor eccentricp'ortion 28 of the.- .sleeve or andisanchored by a pin 39 held across the opening at the bottom of the base in a recess 48). This spring 3'! keeps =the-split collar support from turning with the bushing and shaft and tends to-nor-mally. holdzthe; support vertical, in' addition to absorbing shock and taking up-throw, thrust and vibration, but allows slight whipping thereof during the rotation of theshaft when; driven by the motor at relatively high speeds. for a, purposezand advantage to'behereinafter morefully explained; r we I The semicircular sections 3 3 offthe split collar 3? are formed as. parts: of relatively i -shapedstampings, or, the, like, having intermediate, legs or spring arms M, which facilitates'manufacture of the support,- These arms are disposed-inter.- mediate the ends. of the-collarsections 34 and; arranged Vertically on edge: to extend horizontally and axially or outwardly away-from the end: of the; shaft, l6: to form mortarsupporting' means. The arm'sare bent or. curved inwardly as at at intermediatevpoints to form. a-contraction, and adjacent: their ends ar provided with opposed cups 43;;ofisomewhat semispheric'aLform with their concavedt, sides disposed toward eachother in spaced: parallel relation',,. and: preferably-having central openings 44'. These cups are also pro- 7 vided withgrasping projections 45? at their ex tremities to facilit'aterspreading; of the cups-to receive a mortar or capsulellt, whichis designed to I hold: the, ingredients or 4 materials to be amalgamated or mixed. The'mortar consists'of-a hollow cylindrical chambered bodyr l'l-provided with a. hollow;- cap- 48, and-both of these parts preferably, have semispherical-rounded ends 49 to fit the, concavities of the spring arms toreleasably hold.themortarinposition.v It is to be notedthat the spring armsextend horizontally'but vertically on edge and in a plane of a horizontal diametrical line through the; shaft. and split collar beyond the end of the shaft over the portion of the base 6X- tendi-ng forward from the motor to support the capsule I in. a normally horizontal positionunder the action; of the spring 31', instead of extending and removal of the mortar, as well as providing for: compactness and eliminating a projection above the motor housing. It also provides for a motion of the mortar and pestle together with the ingredients in the mortar which gives'a more efficient mixing motion. The roller bearing cage 32 on the eccentric portion 28 of the bushingor sleeve 2:1 is held on. the sleeve by a collar 50,- the threaded bore of which engagesthethreaded end 28" of the shaftagainst the outer end or face 5| of: the bushing which is disposed at anintersecting angler' to. the angle orv plane of the face 2 9 obiiqiiny or d agonan to the axis of the shaft is.

The inner face 520i the collar 50 registers with i and engages the outer end of the cage 32 and is disposed at the same angle as the end of the sleeve or bushing 21, which it engages. The outer face 53 of the collar 50 is disposed at right angles or normal to the threaded bore thereof and the shaft, including the threaded portion which it engages, but the inner face 52 of the collar is arranged at an'angle of Gdegrees or otherwise to the outer face 3 which is perpendicular 'to the shaft and at an intersecting angle to the angle or plane thereof and the bore or vice versa, the inner face of the collar thus being eccentricto the shaft. A hexagonalo'r other cap nut 54 threads on the shaft to hold the bushing in position.

It will thus be seen that since the split collar and support are retained against turning orrotation'by the spring 31 or other means provided for the purpose, the bushing will revolve within the antifriction or roller bearing caga 'and as the high point'of the eccentric bushing Zl-revolves, it

will cause the split collar support 33 to be moved in such amanner that the mortar 46 will be moved in a circular back and forth and up and down motion in a substantially diamond shaped, oval or circular path in a vertical plane, and also receive a horizontal side to side motion with the mortar changing the direction ofaxes at each revolution. That is, the mortar is oscillated vertically and laterally on a horizontal axis and simultaneously reciprocated in an arcuate path or oscillated to take a swinging motion back and forth with each vertical lateral oscillation. The

mortar will be oscillated on its central transverse axis, which passes axially through the shaft and simultaneously reciprocated or oscillated on its longitudinal axis and be moved up and down in an are on a horizontal axis as it is moved in a circular path in a vertical plane in a somewhat gyrating, eccentric or universal movement, instead of being oscillated on a vertical axis and simultaneously reciprocated or oscillated back and forth on a horizontal'axis as in the prior construction. The particular advantage of this motion is that the substance to be amalgamated is shaken in practically every essential way and more cfficiently than the human hand would shake it. It is not merely oscillated about anaxis, but is so moved that the mortar changes the direction of the axes during every revolution. A better mixing effect is produced by having the mortar take an arcuate reciprocating motion longitudinally or oscillating on its longitudinal axis and horizontally moving on a vertical axis, instead of on a horizontal axis, as previously, and simultaneously oscillating the mortar onits central transverse axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the first motion, which transverse axis passes axially through the drive shaft so that the motion is a substantially diamond shaped or oval shaped circular motion in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis. This path is represented by the plane on a vertical axis. The other motion, as previously stated, is ona horizontal axis passing axially through the shafts While arranging the axis of the cylindrical surface of the bushing at an angle of 6 degrees to the shaft is preferable, thisangle may be varied. Fig. 1 represents the position of the bushing as indicated, also in full lines in Fig. 5 and the dotted line position in the latter figure" indicates the position of the mortar and the mortar holding arms after the bushing has been moved to 180 degrees further inits revolution. In the intermediate positions at either side, when the bushing has been turned 90 degrees from either of the positions shown in solid anddotted lines in Fig. 5, the mortar and mortar'supporting arms will be oppositely inclined at either side above or below the axis of the shaft,

whichigives the vertical oscillation of the mortar and pestle 55 therein together with the materials being mixed. This I motion is on the central transverse axis of the mortar and due to the action-of the restraining means or spring, asnap ping or whipping action is provided at the end of each motion to cause a corresponding motion of thematerial and end thrust of the pestleor pellet therein, together with a sliding motion of the rounded ends of the pellet against the correspondingly arcuate concave ends of the mortar relatively diamond shaped or oval path vertically and changes or reverses the direction of the axes of the mortar as it moves from an upper to a lower position and back again as it moves from.

a lower to an upper positionin its rotary path. In addition, the mortar is oscillated on its central transverse axis and on a horizontal axis axially of the shaft in addition to the motion from side to side and changes the direction of its axes in each revolution of the bushing. In this way, particularly in conjunction with the operation of the pestle within the mortar, the amalgamation is assisted and speeded up.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction dotted oval or diamond shaped outline A in Fig. 4, r

in which the solid line position of the mortar is at the top and substantially horizontal, while the dotted line position B atthe bottom corresponds thereto, and between these positions the mortar is inclined at opposite sides as indicated by the oppositely inclined or sloping sides of the relatively concentric circular, oval or diamond shaped path A. On the other hand, Fig. 6 shows the opposite positions of the mortar in its horizontal arcuate motion, in which it is oscillated or recipro'cated to swing back and forth in a horizontal set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.,In an amalgamator, a motor, a shaft operated by said motor, a cylindrical bushing eccentrically mounted on said shaft, mortar supporting means loosely mounted on said bushing and comprising a split clamp with spring arms intermediately at right-angles thereto and extending in the direction of the shaft, said arms being spaced apart and having mortar receiving portions, and means to prevent rotation of the mortar supporting means with the shaft.

2. In an amalgamator, a motor driven shaft, a cylindrical bushing eccentrically mounted on said shaft with its longitudinal axis at an acute angle to IthTshaft; mortar supporting;- means; loosely monntedion said :bushing normal to the bushing and comprising a split clamp having semiecircular clamping portions connected at'rtheir ends and intermediate spring, arms normalthereto andextending in the same direction, saidarms springing inwardly andadapted to hold a capsule mortar therebetween, and means to hold the mortar supporting. means .against turning with the shaft: r

'3. .Inan amalgamator, the combination with a driven. shaft, av collar mounted eccentrically on the-shaft and held against turning therewith, said collarhaving spaced; spring arms with sockets and normally. moving toward-each other to, grip the ends of a capsule mortar and adapted to spring apart to releasethe mortar, said-arms being horizontally aligned beyond one end of the shaft.

41 In an amalgamator, a driven shaft, an anti- 'friction bearing mounted eccentrically on the shaft and restrained against rotation therewith,

- a;sp1it--collar fixed to the bearing and comprising semi-circular portions. with intermediate spring arms normallythereto and extending axially in spaced relation to grip and hold a mortar therebetween, and means to release said arms from the mortar.

' 5. In an amalgamator, a motor driven shaftextending horizontally, a bushing on said shaft fixed to-rotate therewith, the longitudinal axis of said ,bushingintersecting the axis of the shaft at an acute angle, a collar onv said bushing, resilient means attached to said collar to prevent the collar member from rotating with the shaft,'and arms extending substantially axially from said collar and spaced apart beyond the end of the shaft to, resiliently grip and hold a capsule mortar at the ends thereof, rotation. of said shaft causing the mortar tooscillate on a horizontal axis at oppositely inclined positions andhorizontal intermediate positions above and below the axis of the shaft in a vertical path and on its central transverse axis which passes axially through said shaft and simultaneously oscillating the same on; its longitudinal axis and, horizontally on a vertical axis substantially at right-angles to the axis of the first motion.

6. In an amalgamator, a split collar comprising semi-circular resilient portions having ears at the ends thereof, connecting means for holding coe acting ears in clamping relation to a member encircled thereby, said semi-circular portions having intermediate spring arms normal thereto insubstantially T-shaped formation and facing each other in alignment horizontally, said arms having opposed concavities for receiving the ends of a capsule mortar and extensions for releasing said mortar by spreading the-arms apart, said arms normally sprung toward'each other.

EDWARD L. CHOTT. 

